Well, Jenny and I have been debating for some time now on when should we take Grant to his first Michigan Football game. It's a difficult decision to make. At his age, it certainly can't be a big game, as who knows how long he would make it! And there is no way I am leaving the UM-ND or OSU game in the first quarter!!!!!!!
Well unfortunate circumstances arose on Friday with the passing of Nana B. While it was certainly a blessing, a sad time none-the-less. She means so much to our family, and it will be sad not to have her bright smiley face blessing us. But we know she's up there smiling down upon us =) I'm sure Adam is mixing her the best hummers, and she couldn't be happier!
Well we woke up Saturday morning, and after a day or two of trying to unload the tickets, we had figured that we would have to eat them. Then a brainstorm struck me! Why not see if Grant wanted to make his first steps into the Big House when their were people there???!?!?
So Grant woke up, and I asked him if he would like to go see Michigan Football play? After a short pause, he responded with a resounding YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
So we finished breakfast, and got dressed. Jenny was quite maternal, dressing Grant in layers to insure he stayed warm!
We got it the car, and made our way. With the game being in early November, and against Ball state, our normal tailgaiting group was exceptionally truncated, with Dave Schlaff, his friend Whitney and son Trip being the only attendees. But it didnt matter anyways, as we didnt arrive until an hour and a half before kickoff, so Dave was kind enough to offer me a beer, which I graciously accepted, and Grant and I began to make our way to the Big House!
Of course we got into the stadium and I wanted to goto the "M-Den on the 50" to get Grant and Gavin some UM gear, then headed to the concession stand. Grant ate nearly a whole big box of popcorn, and over half of a 32oz Diet Pepsi.
Then we entered the stadium and Grant was amazed. He had been there before, but never with people there!
Grant and I sat down, and watched warmups, and suprisingly, he sat there just taking everything in. The clock ticked down to about 12 minutes, and then Howard King, the public address announcer comes on and states his patented line, " Preeeeeesenting the 235 member, Michigan Marching Band. Band take the field" As the band pours out over the field, Grant is instantly drawn to the familiar music. Our great friend Dan was kind enough to get Gavin a DVD about Raising your Child to be a Michigan fan. There is a scene in that where the band plays " The Victors". So as the band finishes playing the M-Fanfare, turns to the north endzone and begins playing the greatest college fightsong ever written, Grant turns to me with this excited look on his face, and says, " They're on my TV Daddy!!!!!"
What season of Michigan Football would be complete without a flyover? Well Grant's first Michigan game would be THAT GAME! Shortly after the completion of the National Anthem, two F-18 fighter jets did their flyover!!! It's more amazing every time how loud they are! Grant's couldn't have been more amazed. Instead of being scared by the noise, he kept wanting them to come back!!!!
Well the first quarter came and went, without much fanfare. Michigan was obviously not playing their best game, but Grant was taking everything in. We got to the second quarter, and Grant started to get cold. So I took him back to the M-Den on the 50 and got a blanket ( for like $38 INCLUDING TAX!!!!!!!, can you say, RIPOFF????) Grant had to "go potty" so we swiftly walked to the Men's Room, although Grant couldnt figure out why we couldn't use the one right outside our section, even though I pointed out it was the WOMEN'S bathroom? =)
Of course no trip to the Big House is REALLY a trip without a stadium hot dog, which Grant ate not one BUT TWO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Heading back into the stadium, I could see Grant starting to tire, so I fully expected to be making an exit in the near future. Of course after I tried to put the blanket on him, he decided he didn't want it, so the girl next to us, who appeared to have left the bar last night and driven right to the game, was the beneficiary of the blanket. I asked Grant if he wanted to go, but he vehemently stated NO! In fact he would stay for the ENTIRE game, although it included a nap for 1/2 the 3rd quarter =).
All in all, it was an amazing day. Not only did Grant far exceed my expectations for how long he would stay, how good he was, and HOW MUCH THAT BOY CAN EAT, but it allowed Grant and I to spend a wonderful day together. What more can a father ask for but to pass along passion for the things in life that mean so much to you. I am truly blessed to have a family as wonderful as mine. And I'm sure this will be the first in many trips to the Big House with our children!
Go Blue!
